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(MC41)
Wednesday, December 31, 1997
Dear Sisters,
Two different parenting styles have been brought to the attention of Christians in the U.S. recently. One style stresses that baby should be in his place and under control. It advocates what some have called "detachment mothering", in which baby is allowed to "cry it out" while mom followes her own routine.
The second style stresses that mothers should meet their babies needs. It advocates what some have called "attachment mothering", in which mom is responsive to her baby's cry and is there to meet his needs.
I have read and researched what advocates of both sides have written, and I plan to devote an issue of The Mother's Companion to this topic in the near future. But in the present issue I wish to focus on something else. Let me coin the term "sacrificial mothering". Motherhood involves many sacrifices. It begins with conception, pregnancy, and childbirth, in which a woman risks even her life for the sake of her child. She sacrifices her figure, her sleep, an immaculate house, an active social life, and---the topic of the lead article this issue----material wealth for the sake of her children.
As I wrote the lead article I was challenged anew to a total commitment of myself to my family, asking God to remove any lingering desire for material things. I pray that it will similarly deepen your commitment, and encourage and uplift you in your role as a mother.
Briefly, in closing, I am happy to announce that we are reducing the 1998 cost of subscriptions and renewals to all North American addresses by over a dollar compared to 1997. Subscribers who have been with us over a year will recall that we made smimilar reduction in price last year at this time. We so much desire to have The Mother's Companion accessible to the mom at home who is struggling with limited finances. We are committed to making the subscription price as low as we can manage. (We are unable to reduce the subscription price of non-North American subscriptions since they already go out below our cost.)
Blessings,
Helen E. Aardsma
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